After driving some distance, Lin Qinghe spotted a large supermarket and gave You Rong a look, saying, "Let's stop ahead and go in for a look."
You Rong nodded and parked the car.
The group got out of the car. Lin Qinghe held her gun, just in case. She glanced back at the Jiang siblings, her brow furrowed.
Did they really not have any weapons, daring to come to Jiangcheng to find someone unarmed?
Jiang Wanwan seemed to read Lin Qinghe's mind. She took two pistols out of her backpack, handed one to Jiang Xun, and then said to Lin Qinghe, "Don't worry, we can protect ourselves and won't be a burden to you!"
Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow, quite satisfied with this. She nodded, "Alright, we're going in. Everyone be careful."
"Okay!" Jiang Xun replied.
You Rong walked at the front. As soon as they entered, a zombie lunged at them. You Rong's eyes sharpened, and he directly drew the dagger he had picked up when they got out of the car, plunging it into the zombie's neck with a clean, swift motion.
Jiang Xun watched in astonishment, "Uh, brother... you're so good at fighting, I didn't even have time to react, and you've already dealt with the zombie! Have you trained somewhere before? Or were you a mercenary, a super bodyguard, or something?"
You Rong glanced at Jiang Xun but didn't answer. He lowered his eyes, looking at the blood-stained dagger in his hand, his expression thoughtful.
Lin Qinghe knew what You Rong was thinking. As expected, the information from the system was correct. You Rong's body was gradually changing, and his physical strength was increasing. It was already becoming apparent.
Lin Qinghe interrupted Jiang Xun, who was about to ask more questions, saying, "Stop gawking, let's go inside."
Jiang Wanwan echoed, "That's right, let's go in first. Jiang Xun, you too, pay more attention."
Jiang Xun had to suppress his admiration for You Rong and whispered, "Sister, I know."
As the group walked further in, Lin Qinghe, preoccupied with You Rong's food supply, headed directly towards the frozen section. Seeing the empty refrigerators and freezers, she looked somewhat disappointed.
Jiang Xun came over, full of confusion, "Sis, why are you going to the frozen section? If you're looking for food, shouldn't you go to the other side? Biscuits and other easily stored foods are what we need. Even if there's anything left in the freezer, it'll be inconvenient to carry and impossible to store!"
Lin Qinghe couldn't be bothered to explain and vaguely mumbled, "I really wanted to have steak again, so I came to look. If there's nothing, that's fine, let's go to the other side..."
Jiang Xun was full of doubt, "...Oh."
You Rong looked up at Lin Qinghe, his eyes flickering slightly.
He knew Lin Qinghe was looking for raw meat for him.
But clearly, she didn't have much food left herself. Why wasn't her first priority finding food for herself, but for him?
Was this what liking someone felt like?
You Rong didn't understand, as he had never liked anyone in his twenty-five years of life.
After searching the supermarket with no success, Lin Qinghe said with slight disappointment, "Let's go out and keep looking."
Jiang Wanwan and the others unanimously agreed. Arriving at the next supermarket, Lin Qinghe again headed straight for the frozen section upon entering, but again found nothing.
Jiang Xun and Jiang Wanwan found some instant noodles and vegetable packets and chose to take some. They called Lin Qinghe to take some, but she seemed uninterested and didn't go over.
Seeing this, Jiang Wanwan thought for a moment and said, "Miss... if you really want to eat steak, I know of a frozen wholesale market not far from here. There might still be some frozen beef stored there."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yes, I lived in Jiangcheng when I was a child and know the area somewhat. I just don't know what the situation is at that frozen wholesale market after the virus outbreak..."
Regardless of the condition of the frozen wholesale market, Lin Qinghe decided to check it out first. She said to You Rong, "Let's go now!"
You Rong's brow furrowed, and he nodded, "...Alright."
Following Jiang Wanwan's directions, they drove for about forty minutes and arrived at the frozen wholesale market. Just as Lin Qinghe was about to get out of the car, You Rong grabbed her arm and said sternly, "Don't get out yet!"
Lin Qinghe paused, "What's wrong?"
"There are zombies inside, and advanced zombies too."
Lin Qinghe froze for a moment and looked out the car window. Indeed, she saw three or five zombies gathered inside. One zombie stood in the middle, and the other zombies seemed to fear him, constantly retreating quietly.
Suddenly, that zombie turned its head, its glowing eyes fixed directly on their car.
Lin Qinghe's brow furrowed. She instinctively tightened her grip on the gun in her hand.
She had to go in, even with advanced zombies. As You Rong said, Jiangcheng was depleted of resources, and most supermarkets had already been looted. The possibility of finding raw meat elsewhere was too small. Most of her hope was pinned on this frozen wholesale market.
After weighing her options, Lin Qinghe said, "There aren't many zombies nearby. Even if there's one advanced zombie, we should be able to handle it if we're careful."
You Rong looked hesitant but eventually agreed. He looked at her and cautioned, "...Be careful."
Lin Qinghe smiled slightly, "Don't worry, I will!"
Jiang Wanwan and Jiang Xun, with tense nerves, followed them out of the car, gripping their pistols tightly. The group walked in purposefully and had no intention of avoiding the zombies. Since they had to go in, they would have to deal with these zombies.
As soon as the few zombies saw them get out of the car, they let out excited roars and lumbered towards them.
Lin Qinghe and the others raised their pistols, aiming at the zombies. After all, apart from You Rong, none of them were professionals. Therefore, they couldn't take down a zombie with a single shot. It took several shots to bring down each one.
Lin Qinghe watched the advanced zombie standing motionless and paid even more attention to him. She felt something was off, but the distance was too great, and she had to deal with the approaching lower-level zombies first.
Suddenly, Lin Qinghe's peripheral vision caught a zombie lunging out from behind Jiang Xun. She quickly turned and fired a shot at the zombie, knocking it down.
It was this turn that exposed her weakness. The advanced zombie, which had been motionless moments ago, suddenly moved. It flashed behind Lin Qinghe with extreme speed, grabbing her arm forcefully. She grunted in pain, and her grip slipped, dropping the gun.
The advanced zombie opened its mouth, about to bite Lin Qinghe's neck. Fortunately, You Rong reacted quickly and aimed his gun at the zombie, firing a shot.
But an advanced zombie was an advanced zombie. It was extremely agile and quickly dodged, and You Rong's shot only injured its shoulder.
The advanced zombie roared and, being remarkably intelligent, used Lin Qinghe as a shield, preventing You Rong from shooting again.
Lin Qinghe was held by the advanced zombie, which drooled with desire to bite her. Several times its teeth were about to touch her nape. If You Rong hadn't held his gun at it, making it wary, a single bite would have been fatal for Lin Qinghe!
Lin Qinghe swallowed, forcing herself to calm down and quickly racking her brain for a solution.
But she couldn't move at all. What could she possibly do!